Alone in the Desert - Arizona Trail ep.2

Walking 800 miles alone across Arizona, through the desert, and now entering some extreme heat during my Arizona Trail thru hike. Seeing less and less hikers and really feeling the solitude of doing this thru hike solo. Passing Colossal Cave State Park, Saguaro National Park, Mount Mica, Mount Lemmon, the town of Oracle, the Gila River, and entering the Superstition Mountains. My pack is small and ultralight but I am able to rely on my minimal backpacking gear for comfort, safety, and happyness during this trip.

The Arizona National Scenic Trail, and really any thru hike is such a special experience. To live so simply, to live out of a backpack, to live like a vagabond. Simplicity and minimalism at it's core. Only carrying what you need to live and survive. My backpack and my baseweight is ultralight, nearly super ultralight, down under 7lbs worth of hiking gear total. Some insulating layers, some rain protection, food for days on end, extra socks, and some camera gear. I feel this UL gear is enough to keep me comfortable, happy, and safe... but you really don't know how things will work until you're out in the wilderness with no safe exit plan. Some of the gear I'm using consists of an Enlightened Equipment Enigma 30*F which is an ultralight quilt. An EE Torrid Pullover synthetic jacket. A Zpacks 7x9 tarp as my only shelter. A small Palantepacks UL backpack. And a Sunday Afternoon Sunhat. Beyond that you can check out my hiking gear listed below!!

In this second video we start around Colossal Cave State Park and see our first saguaro cactus, we hike into saguaro national park and begin the long climb up to manning camp and the peak of mount mica, one of three biggest climbs on this entire trail. The very next day we begin the second biggest climb of this entire hike, mount lemmon, passing by some famous arizona swimming spots. We run out of water going down mount lemmon, and descend towards Oracle. I go two days without seeing a single other hiker as I enter the Gila River area around Kearny and Superior, just before the superstition mountains. My new balance shoes deteriorate and I have to overnight myself a new pair of merrell shoes. The trail is rough, walking on rocks and hard packed ground everyday. My injinji socks don't last long either. The trail is brutal, and it's showing mostly in my footwear.

I am loving my time on this trail, and I am starting to feel more like a thru hiker. Alone in the desert.

If you would like to see content I create about these trips I don't share anywhere else, join me on Patreon!
  / jupiterhikes  

. . . THE GEAR I USE . . .
Backpack & Fanny Pack - https://Palantepacks.com
Sleeping pad - https://gossamergear.com
Quilt - https://Enlightenedequipment.com
Tarp - https://Zpacks.com
Groundsheet - https://amzn.to/3leXdlM
Tent Stakes - https://amzn.to/3bKgoRq

Puffy Jacket - https://Enlightenedequipment.com
Rain Jacket - https://Enlightenedequipment.com
Sun Glasses - https://amzn.to/38HKWBs
Toe Socks - https://amzn.to/3lgDGkU
Sun Hat - https://amzn.to/2OWiaGc

Water Bladder - https://amzn.to/3vDabP9
Water Filter - https://amzn.to/2Q7ych7
Spoon - https://amzn.to/3cA3mVG
Food Bag - https://amzn.to/3rOVfeu

Yoyo - https://amzn.to/3eAFhkp
Toothbrush - https://amzn.to/3tkN4GY
Chafe Cream - https://amzn.to/3bNorNu
Tweezers - https://amzn.to/3tkLRj6
Blister tape - https://amzn.to/3tbRTCy
Lip Balm - https://amzn.to/2Q6oJ9F

Flashlight - https://amzn.to/3tmjRM6
Wall Charger - https://amzn.to/3eFxxNY
External Battery - https://amzn.to/3bMnk0v (20,000mAh)
External Battery - https://amzn.to/3cttEch (10,000mAh, much lighter & smaller)
Cell Phone - https://amzn.to/30HxusC
Headphones - https://amzn.to/3eFjtnt

Camera - https://amzn.to/3eEoY68
Camera Lens - https://amzn.to/3eFjc3V
Camera Batteries - https://amzn.to/3tmkDbY
Camera Charger - https://amzn.to/3s0jAhD
Microphone - https://amzn.to/38Fhags
Memory Card - https://amzn.to/3vrBOdZ
Tripod - https://amzn.to/3eEFAL6
Microfiber Cloth - https://amzn.to/38FIyLh

Hiking Essentials Shirt! http://jupiterhikes.com/product/hikin...

THE BACKPACKING GEAR I USE:
http://www.jupiterhikes.com/gear/

If you'd like more info about me, my hiking, or painting:
https://www.jupiterhikes.com
  / jupiterhikes  
  / jupiterhikes  

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